AI Literacy 101: An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
This is the first blog in a series exploring artificial intelligence (AI) literacy in education in commemoration of National AI Literacy Day on April 19th, 2024. This blog focuses on highlighting definitions, example uses, and opportunities and risks associated with AI. The next two blogs in the series will dive deeper into the importance of AI literacy and AI literacy skills development.
What to Know
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
According to ED’s May 2023 report, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning, artificial intelligence is the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence such as, visual perception, speech recognition, learning, decision-making, and natural language processing.
What is Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI)?
“Generative AI refers to AI techniques that learn a representation of artifacts from data, and use it to generate brand-new, unique artifacts that resemble but don’t repeat the original data. Generative AI can produce totally novel content (including text, images, video, audio, structures), computer code, synthetic data, workflows and models of physical objects.”¹
What is AI Literacy?
Several definitions for ‘AI literacy’ are emerging, and the Department of Education has not yet adopted a formal definition. The proposed AI Literacy Act defines AI literacy as the skills associated with the ability to comprehend the basic principles, concepts, and applications of artificial intelligence, as well as the implications, limitations, and ethical considerations associated with the use of artificial intelligence.
Duri Long and Brian Magerjo developed the definition of AI literacy as a set of competencies that enables individuals to critically evaluate AI, communicate and collaborate effectively with AI, and use AI as a tool online, at home, school, and in the workplace.²
AI literacy is not writing code to create AI tools. Understanding AI literacy does not require technical expertise but will help educators and students navigate a highly technological landscape.
These definitions all suggest that AI literacy is understanding what AI is, ways to use AI responsibly, and potential risks associated with AI use as well as the skills needed to engage with AI.
AI brings powerful opportunities as well as risks and concerns explored below and in our report.
What are the opportunities for the use of AI in education?
- For educators:
AI can support educators in addressing variability in student learning by designing differentiated curriculum and support. AI can enhance feedback loops by drafting personalized feedback and resources for students. AI can support educators in designing lesson plans, assessments, and rubrics. Overall, AI can support educators by reducing the time spent on these tasks and increasing efficiency. Educators can integrate AI literacy into curriculum to support students in their understanding of AI and responsible use of AI.
- For students:
AI can support students in their learning when used responsibly. While students can use AI models as a thought partner or personal tutor, students should discuss with their teachers and school leaders whether AI is acceptable to use for learning activities. Students should think critically about the output generated by an AI model and be transparent when they are using an AI model to support their learning. Learning about AI literacy builds a foundation of knowledge and skills for students to build their understanding of AI and capacity to use AI responsibly.
- For school and district leaders:
Education-focused AI policies at the federal, state, and district levels will be needed to guide and empower local and individual decisions about which technologies to adopt and use in schools and classrooms. School and district leaders should involve educators in procurement decisions as they consider AI tools for their schools. School and district leaders can use AI to increase efficiency in communication, teacher professional development, and formative assessments to build educator and school leader capacity.
What are the risks and concerns associated with the use of AI in education?
- Data privacy & security. When interacting with a generative AI model, the information the user puts into the model is used to train the model, therefore, it is important not to put Personal Identifiable Information (PII), sensitive information, etc. into the model. There is a need for transparency around how models are storing and using personal data that is entered. Additionally, there are concerns for the protections of students’ intellectual property as more systems integrate AI components.
- Biased and inaccurate information. AI models are trained on information that may be biased or inaccurate. AI models and systems may produce information that reinforces stereotypes, omits diverse perspectives, or promotes misunderstanding.
- Equity of access. Exacerbation of the digital divide is a growing concern as some AI models, or more robust versions of AI models, come at a cost to the user.
- Building capacity. There is a critical need to build capacity for AI literacy for educators, administrators, students, and families to be able to use AI effectively and responsibly in education.
Where to Learn More
Stay tuned for the next two blogs in this series to learn more about the importance of AI literacy and AI literacy skills development. If you are interested in further learning about AI and its use in education, there are resources linked below and additional recommendations and insights included in our May 2023 report: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning.
Education Leaders:
- ISTE | Artificial Intelligence in Education: Guidance for School Leaders
- K12 Generative AI Readiness Checklist | CoSN & Council of the Great City Schools
- IES | Efficacy of AI Systems in Improving Student Outcomes
- Generative AI and K-12 Education: An MIT Perspective · From Novel Chemicals to Opera
Educators:
- AI Resources for High School Educators | Stanford
- AI Literacy PD for Teachers | aiEDU
- AI Literacy Framework for Educators | Digital Promise
- AI PD Resources | ISTE
- AI in the K-12 Classroom | AVID Open Access
- The AI Pedagogy Project | metaLAB (at) Harvard
Students:
- Digital Promise | AI Literacy Framework
- Student-Centered Rubric for Responsible AI Use
- When Students Should Use AI Infographic
- Top 10 Ethical AI Practices to Teach K-12 Students
State & District Leaders:
- Review of Guidance from Seven States on AI in Education | Digital Promise
- Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework | National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Executive Order Interpreted for K-12 | Data Quality Campaign
- EducateAI Initiative | U.S. National Science Foundation
- Library of Resources | EdSafe AI
- S.A.F.E. AI Framework | Ed Safe AI
- Policy & Governance | Center for Democracy and Technology
Families:
- AI Initiative | Common Sense Media
- A Parent’s Guide to Discussing AI — Net Literacy
- A guide to artificial intelligence (AI) for parents | Internet Matters
Community Members:
¹ Gartner Glossary. Generative AI. https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/generative-ai
² Long, Duri & Magerko, Brian. (2020). What is AI Literacy? Competencies and Design Considerations. 10.1145/3313831.3376727.
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